Surface condenser.



A. SIECEL.

SURFACE CONDENSER.

APPLICATlON mm) mm. 1914.

'1 ,206.605. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

Figl.

Witnesses: Inventor.

AUGUST SIEGELOF CHARLOTTENBURG, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SURFACE oonnnnsnn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

, Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUeUsT SIEGEL, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at. Charlottenburg, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Surface Condensers, of which the following is a specification. I

The present invention relates to surface condensers and particularly to such condensers wherein the cooling fluid, as water, passes successively through groups of cooling pipes. In such arrangements it is sometimes desirable to disconnect one or more groups of the cooling pipes, as for example, when it is desired to clean the tubes without having to put the condenser as a whole out of service, or where the system in connection with which the condenser is used does not for the time being require the total capacity of the condenser; There are, furthermore, conditions under which it would be more eflicient to have the groups of cooling pipes connected in series, while under other conditions, it would be desirable to have the same connected in parallel.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple arrangement by which I am enabled to connect the different groups of pipes in either parallel or series relation,

or to wholly cut out any group as may be found desirable.

Referring to the drawing wherein I have illustrated a specific embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of my condenser, and Fig. 2 is an end view.

In the present instance I have shown the condenser as comprising ,a housing 2 in which is arranged two groups of cooling pipes 3 and 4, eachvgroup comprising two sets of pipes connected in series as regards the flow of fluid. The group of pipes 3 is divided into upper and lower sets by the partition 5 and the group 4 by the partition 6. The group of pipes 3 is separated. from the group of pipes 4 by the partition 7 through which is an opening'8 controlled by a suitable valve 9. This valve is here shown as a flapvalve, but it will be understood that any other form of valve may be used. The valve 9 is arranged to be operated from, the outside of the condenser as by means of the rod 10 and hand wheel 11.

Cooling fluid is led to the respective groups of pipes by the conduits 12 and 13 which may connect with a common supply c0nduit 14, and which are provided with shutoff valves 15 and 16.

17 and 18 are discharge conduits leading from the groups 4 and 3 respectively and provided with shut-off valves 19 and 20.

The condenser as a whole is supported on foundation blocks 21 and has one end closed by the removable heads 22, there being a separate head for each group of pipes.

23 is the opening through which the vapors to the condenser enter.

The operation is as follows: Vith the valve 9 closed and valves 15, 16, 19 and 20 open the two groups 3 and 4 will be connected in parallel, cooling fluid entering the group 3 through conduit 13 and discharging through conduit 18, and the group 4 through conduit 12 and discharging conduit 17. To cut out either group 3 or 4 when valve 9 is closed it is only necessary to close valves 16 and 20, or valves 15 and 19 as desired. WVhen it is desired to operate the groups in series valves 16 and 19 are closed and the internal valve 9 is opened. The cooling fluid will then flow in through valve 15 and conduit 12, across the lower set of pipes of group 4 .and back through the upper set, through opening 8 in partition 7, through the sets of pipes making up group 3 and out by way of conduit 18 and valve 20.

It will thus be seen that by this simple arrangement of leading-in and discharge conduits and the valve 9 controlling the opening 8 through the partition 7 inside the casing I am enabled to provide for either parallel or serles operation of the respective groups of cooling pipes, or for cutting out any, group or groups.

with-the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

1-. The combination in a condenser, of a casing, a plurality of groups of cooling tubes therein, and means for connecting the groups either in parallel or in series as regards the flow of cooling fluid, said meanscomprising a supply conduit for each group, a discharge conduit for each group, valve means for regulating the flow through said conduits, a partition within the casing separating one group from another, said partition having an opening therein, a valve controlling said opening, and means for opening and closing said valve.

2. The combination in a condenser of a casing, a plurality of groups of cooling tubes therein, supply conduits and discharge conduits for each group, valves in said conduits whereby any group may be cut out of service without affecting the operation of the other group or groups, a partition within the casing having an opening therethrough,

a valve controlling the opening, and means located outside of the casing for opening and closing the valve.

3. The combination in a condenser of a casing, a plurality of groups of cooling tubes therein, a supply conduit and a discharge conduit for each group, valves in said conduits, a partition having an opening therethrough located within the casing separating said groups from each other, and a valve controlling said opening.

l. In a condenser, the combination of a casing, a plurality of groups of cooling tubes therein, a branched conduit for conveying cooling fluid to the tubes, a valve in each of said branches, conduits for conveying cooling fluid from said groups of tubes, valves in each of the last named conduits, and valve means located inside of the casing and operable from without, said valves and valve means enabling the respective groups of cooling tubes to be connected either in parallel or. in series as regards the flow of cooling fluid, or any group to be cut out of service. Y

In witness whereof, 'I have hereunto set my hand this 23d dayof March, 1914.

AUGUST SIEGEL.

Witnesses: A

ERIoH UBERLP'JE, OsoAn EBERTH. 

